The Montagu Beach Hotel was built in 1926 by Leon Walton Young and had 200 rooms for accommodation. It was an elaborate pink building with its own private beach and lake on fifty acres of land. It was the first hotel in Nassau to offer native entertainment.
In the late 1940’s, the hotel was purchased by William (Billy) Heygate Edmund Colborne Butlin after a trip he made to the Bahamas in 1946. The hotel was to be operated on a 21 year lease. However, the investment was not a financial success and on 31 December 1949 the lease was transferred to an American group.
Starting in the 1950, under General Manager James Joseph Carroll, the hotel began a program of upgrades. Two thirds of the guest rooms were redecorated and a bar was added to the supper club. Bigelow carpets were added to public areas as well as to guest rooms. A large mural by Basil Armstrong of the Queen’s Staircase, was painted 8 Dec 1950 on top of the staircase landing.
The hotel now boasted a solarium and beauty parlour, four championship tennis courts, an 18 hole putting green, a nine hole golf course, and entertainment presented in the Coral Room or Jungle Club. There was also a Marine Room, Empire Room and the After Deck Bar which was styled to resemble the main cabin of an 1800s sailing ship.
In 1955, the hotel was leased to a new firm that represented British and Bahamian business interests, of which Butlin was a major shareholder, took over operations. Butlin immediately announced another program of improvements which included a pool being added in 1956.
Further upgrades to the rooms were made during 1959, and in 1960, the hotel was re-branded as The Montagu Beach Hotel.
Stamps
1954 Definitive Series – 10d Modern Hotels
Postcards
1952 – Dexter Press Inc (56500 Series – Type A)
1953 – Mardon, Son & Hall Ltd (No.1-39)
1953 – Mardon, Son & Hall Ltd (No.40-70)
1955 Dexter Press Inc (56500 Series – Type C)
1956 – Dexter Press Inc (56500 Series – Type B)
1960 – Hannau Color Productions (34200 Series – Type A)
References
- Architectural Record 1951-04: Vol 109 Iss 4
- ASTA Travel News Vol 25 1955
- Billboard 5 Aug 1950
- Holiday 1953-12: Vol 14 Iss 6
- Saturday Review of Literature 1950
- Saturday Review Vol 52 1959
- Sports Illustrated 1956
My husband and I stayed at the Montague on our honeymoon in 1965. We heard it was demolished and we’re wondering if another hotel was built on the site
I am not too sure. If you are on Facebook, try this history group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2125313187737695 – they have lots more current information. 🙂
Good Day
Lovely pics and achieves of this hotel .
My dad worked their many years ago .
Would like to know and comfirm that a squash court
Was on premieses ,I heard of persons refering to this .
Would like to know and maybe see a picture or by looking at the structureial plans
Troy Rahming
Hello Troy, I saw your post and thought it interesting as both my father and mother worked at the Montagu Beach hotel. It was in roughly 1959 to the early 1960’s. I do have a picture of the front staff with my father in front of the hotel but am unable to send it on this site.
Randy Petrie